Mounted Traveller [reverse]

1727

Ferdinand de Saint-Urbain

Associated Names
Ferdinand de Saint-Urbain

Medalist, French, 1658 - 1738

The image shows a round, flat medal with a relief sculpture on its front side. The sculpture features a person on horseback crossing a bridge in an outdoor setting with trees and distant landforms in the background. The scene is detailed with intricate lines depicting the scenery and is crafted from a bronze-colored material. An inscription in Latin surrounds the edge of the medal with "PROVIDENTIA PRINCIPIS" at the top and "VIAS MUNITAS MDCCXXVII" at the bottom. A small perforation near the top suggests it may have been used for display or worn on a chain.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Karl Lunde

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.36 cm (2 1/2 in.)
    gross weight: 7.62 gr (0.017 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1994.81.2.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a circular medallion with the profile of a man with long, curly hair cascading down into his clothing. He appears to be wearing detailed armor with a decorative chain and ornate drapery. The medallion is a relief sculpture made of bronze with a warm, metallic brown color and polished sheen. Surrounding the profile is an embossed inscription in Latin, which reads "LEOPOLDVS I.D.G. DVX LOT.BAR.REX.IE." The waves of his hair and the features of his profile are rendered with depth against the circular border.

Leopold Joseph I, 1679-1729, Duke of Lorraine 1697 [obverse]

Ferdinand de Saint-Urbain

1727

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Karl Lunde [1931-2009], New York; gift 1994 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 670, repro.

Inscriptions

around top circumference: PROVIDENTIA.PRINCIPIS (The prince's beneficence); in exergue: VIAE.MVNITAE. / MDCCXXVII (The roads maintained, 1727)

Wikidata ID

Q63860830

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